Coin-controlled apparatus



Sept.' 23, 1930. v G. K. THOMPSON 1,776,301

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 7, 1929 INVENTOR AT ORNEY Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT orricn" GEORGE K. THOMPSON, OF MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELE- PHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, A COELEOBATION OF NEW YORK COIN-CONTROLLED APPARATUS Application filed. December This invention relates to coin controlled apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus of this character which is adapted to be used at telephone pay stations.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device for operating a signal in coin controlled apparatus which will not respond to the use of slugs or other fradulent tokens.

Another object is to provide apparatus of this character which is simple and comparatively inexpensive.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.

The invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be further explained in the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawing, in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

The figure shown in the drawing is a side elevation of a chute for a coin collector.

Referring to the drawing, in which the improved device is illustrated, the reference 5 designates a frame in which a coin chute or channel is provided. This chanel frame may be one of a series which is located in a. coin box or receptacle, and each frame has a chute or channel which is adapted to receive a coin of different size and denomination. As the series of channel frames and their relation to each other, and also the receptacle in which they are contained, are well known in connection with telephone pay station instrumentalities, they have been omitted for the purpose of clearness in the description and illustration of the invention.

The coin chute or channel in the frame 5 serves as a convenient means for directing or delivering coins into a coin deposit box or a coin return chute (not shown). The channel frame 5 may be secured to an adjacent channel frame or to the wall of the coin collector apparatus by means of bolts which pass through the apertured lugs provided at various parts of the channel frame. The coin channel comprises an upper portion 6 through the top of which a coin is introduced in a well 7, 1929. Serial No. 412,346.

nel is shown as comprising two curved portions (Sand 7. The portion 6 extends down-v wardly in one direction to an intermediate point 8, and portion 7 extends therefrom downwardly in another direction. The portion 7 leads to a coin receptacle or coin return chute by which the coins passing through the channel or chute are either deposited or returned to the'subscriber.

An elongated movable finger 9 is pivotally connected at its top by suitable means to a side wall near the upper edge of the channel frame. The finger is of sufficient length to cover the opening in the coin chute at the intermediate portion 8 which lies between the portions 6 and 7. It is so positioned that it lies in the path of a descending coin and partially obstructs the coin chute at this point. The finger is of somewhat flat formation and is provided with a toe portion 11 which is adapted to strike a gong 12 or similar sounding device when accelerated by the impact of a proper coin, as will be presently described.

The gong 12 may be suitably mounted in the casing of the coin collector apparatus. Each chute of a series may be equipped with a movable finger, and each finger may 0perate an individual gong or sounding device to give a signal characteristic of the coin deposited. Y

The several frames with their coin chutes or channels and associated elements which may be provided in the coin box or collector, and of which the single frame herein illustrated and described is an example, may accommodate coins of the denomination of a nickel, a dime and a quarter. The pivoted finger which is interposed between each channel and its gong will be of such weight that it will only be accelerated to respond and strike-its respective gong by the impact of a coin of predetermined gravity. Thus a deposited nickel, dime or quarter will pass down the upper part of the respective runway of its channel and engage the pivoted finger or lever. Such finger or lever will be moved to strike the rim of the gong and give a signal. The coin then continues down the lower part of the runway into the cash receptacle where it may be deposited, or is returned to the patron through a coin return chute. In the ease of deposition of fraudur) lent tokens, which, although they may have a diameter approximately that of the coin required, they will not provide suflicient impact to sufliciently move the weighted finger or lever to operate the gong. Such tokens will pass down the coin channels and will giveno signal by operating the gong.

hat is claimed is: A coin collector comprising a channel and a signal, the channel extending downwardly 15 toward the signal and then turning downwardly away from the signal, and a movable finger pivoted'at its top and being positioned in said channel at the approximate turning point to partially obstruct said channel, said 20 finger being so weighted as to be movable to one side to operate the signal only in response to the impact of a coin of a predetermined gravity passing down the channel.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 5th day of December, 19:29. I

GEORGE K. THOMPSUN. 

